QUECHUA LANGUAGE COURSES

Study Quechua in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco

The Quechua language (Qheswa simi) was the official language in the Incan State and today, it is the most widely spoken indigenous language throughout the Andes.

This program´s goal is to reach oral proficiency in Quechua, combined with the knowledge of its grammar and writing. It is directed to those who want to communicate and manage a certain degree of immersion in Quechua-speaking circles, or to students/scholars who need it to undertake field research. In order for the learning process to be complete, we also include the teaching of Andean culture, although priorities between language and culture can vary, according to each student´s goals and interests.

Learning Modules:

LEARNING HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH QUECHUA-SPEAKING PEOPLE

Participants will be introduced to the Quechua linguistic system in a gradual manner. This module´s goal is to develop the participant´s linguistic dexterities in terms of oral and written expression, as well as in listening and reading comprehension through:

Learning daily conversation formulas

Grammatical practice, redaction exercises and the use of audiovisual materials

Listening sensitization and comprehension practices

Levels: Basic, intermediate and advanced

Additional Strengthening Activities:

Tandems: Language exchange with Quechua-speaking natives.

ANDEAN COSMOVISION, LANGUAGE AND QUECHUA CULTURE

The Quechua language expresses the way in which the pre-Hispanic Andean civilizations had elaborated their own cosmo-vision model about the world and its order, which is inherent to present-day Andean societies, as much Quechua-speaking ones as other native groups throughout the Andes. Each Quechua linguistic category we will analyze, will help understand the Andean culture and Quechua-speaking peoples in a more approximate manner.

Additional Materials:

Reading materials about Andean literature

Projection and analycis of documentary movies

ANDEAN MYTHOLOGY – THE QUECHUA WORLD THROUGH MYTHS

Primordial times and how the Cosmic Order was established, as well as Nature´s Cycles and their reproduction are narrated by myths. Some birds and animals are categorized as mediators, thus possessing the faculty of transiting between the Hanan Pacha (Upper World) and Kay Pacha (This World), provoking the origin of food species for the human being.

The myths that tell about the human being´s origins, as well as that of the Incas in particular, introduce us to the relationship between humans and their Sacred Place, which gives them their identity, expressed through their clothes and woven fabrics. These myths also establish the pillars and logics of the Andean civilizations´ social and political organization.

GOAL: With the analysis of myths, students acquire a better comprehension of the Andean culture and Quechua-speaking people´s world.

FIELD EXPERIENCE IN A QUECHUA-SPEAKING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

Accompanied by their professor, participants will have the opportunity to visit a Quechua-speaking indigenous community. The communities we work with are easily accessible by car, but there also are communities that are only accessible through a one-day hike.

This program offers:

Being immersed in the environment of Quechua-speaking populations

Practical applying of what has been learned during the course

Participating in daily activities: Shepherding of animals, agricultural activities (according to the time of year) or others still, depending on the circumstances

ONLINE QUECHUA, VIA SKYPE: INDIVIDUAL COURSES

This is an excellent opportunity to learn Quechua from home. Programming is tailor-made, and includes sending learning and audiovisual materials to you. Also, if you are planning a stay in the Andes, this course could be a good prelude to it.